Tragic news has rocked fans of early 2000s family films: Blake Garrett, the beloved child actor best known for his role as Plug in the 2006 comedy How to Eat Fried Worms, has died at just 33 years old.
Garrett passed away Sunday, February 8, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His mother, Carol Garrett, confirmed the heartbreaking news, noting that the family is still awaiting official autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.
Born Nolan Blake Garrett in Austin, Texas, he displayed star quality from a young age. Blake shined on local theater stages in productions like Aladdin and His Magical Lamp and Peanuts: A Charlie Brown Tribute, later taking roles in The Wizard of Oz, Annie, and Grease. At just 10, he toured nationally with Barney’s Colorful World International Tour, a major milestone for a young performer.
But it was How to Eat Fried Worms that made him a household name. Playing Plug, Garrett helped bring to life a quirky story of a new kid at school who bets he can eat ten worms without gagging—a film that became a favorite for a generation. Alongside his young castmates, Blake earned a Young Artist Award for Best Ensemble Cast, cementing his place in family film history.
Continue reading on next page…